2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Iowa
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value secondary education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Indian Hills Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools in Iowa. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,135. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at Southwestern Community College Creston, which ranked #5. Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Creston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $15,153. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #8 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Iowa State University earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Graceland University Lamoni ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Graceland University Lamoni generally make around $63,443. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $41,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $44,780. Set against $41,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa earned the #12 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Clarke University came in at #13 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,910. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $42,204. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,918. Secondary Education graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand View University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $46,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Waldorf College earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,622. Secondary Education graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Simpson College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $27,000. Secondary Education graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $42,760 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
William Penn University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $29,750. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $32,642. Secondary Education graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $39,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,642 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College landed the #19 spot for secondary education value this year. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,757 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Morningside College earned the #20 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,519. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Morningside College earn a median of $48,478 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Mount Mercy University placed #21 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $30,687 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $43,810 early in their careers. Set against $30,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa earned the #22 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $25,995 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $48,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,995 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $42,756. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Dordt College landed the #24 spot for secondary education value this year. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $21,500. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University came in at #25 for value in secondary education this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $46,479. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
More Secondary Education Rankings
View All Secondary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
